# Pesto pasta with chicken (from The Mediterranean Dish)

Video: [Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta ready in 15 minutes! (Pesto Pasta Recipe)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q) by [The Mediterranean Dish](https://www.youtube.com/@TheMediterraneanDish).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with The Mediterranean Dish. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: not stated
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$3.89 per serving, ~$11.68 for ~3 portions (assumed); saves ~$17.11* per serving (81%) vs ordering out (~$21.00*). * Estimate: 1 line(s) we couldn't price were filled with typical costs for their type; the video doesn't state how many it serves, so 3 portions were assumed; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario pasta entrée at ~$21, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- pinch kosher salt
- pinch black pepper
- large pinch Italian seasoning
- to taste kosher salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 package penne pasta
- some parmesan cheese
- some sun-dried tomato
- a little bit heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pesto
- a tiny bit pasta cooking water
- a little bit red pepper flakes
- some fresh basil

## Steps

1. [0:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=21s) Cut the chicken breast into small bite-sized chunks.
2. [0:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=54s) Season the chicken with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, then mix well.
3. [1:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=111s) Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
4. [2:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=121s) Generously salt the boiling water with kosher salt.
5. [2:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=141s) Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
6. [3:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=197s) Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and stir.
7. [3:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=212s) Add the seasoned chicken chunks to the hot pan and sear until browned on all sides, tossing occasionally.
8. [4:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=248s) Ladle out a small amount of starchy pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
9. [4:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Twl3u4F3Q&t=254s) Drain the cooked penne pasta.
10. Add the drained pasta directly into the pan with the cooked chicken.
11. Stir in parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a little heavy cream.
12. Add pesto to the pasta mixture and remove the pan from the stove.
13. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta cooking water as needed for creaminess.
14. Sprinkle red pepper flakes and fresh basil over the pasta before serving.

## Equipment

- cutting board
- knife
- tongs
- pot
- non-stick pan
- colander
- wooden spoon

## What the video didn't say

- exact cooking times for pasta and chicken
- exact quantities for parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/the-mediterranean-dish-pesto-pasta-with-chicken